Ash Creek Complex Update, 6/30/12 at 0900

Incident: Ash Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 47 min. ago

ASH CREEK

DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET

Date: June 30, 2012

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Incident: Ash Creek Complex

Fires in Complex: Ash Creek, Coal Seam

Location: Ash Creek Fire is 10 miles east of Lame Deer; Coal Seam is about 3 miles north of Busby

Approximate Size: Ash Creek Fire: 156,288 acres; Coal Seam Fire: 700 acres

Containment : Ash Creek Fire is 25% and Coal Seam Fire is 80%

Incident Commander: Tom Heintz, Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team

Resources: Hand Crews: (3) Type I Hot Shot Fire Crews; (6) Type II Initial Attack fire crews; Engines: 41; Water Tenders: 3; Dozers: 2; Air Support: (3) Helicopters, (1) Air tanker, (2) Air attack

Total personnel: 438. Injuries: None

Fire Update: The Ash Creek fire made significant movement to the east with running crown fire and long-range spotting yesterday afternoon. The fire is threatening residences in the Wilbur, Whitetail, Beaver Creek and East Fork of Otter Creek areas, all of which have been ordered by the Powder River County Sheriff to evacuate. Data gathered from an infrared flight taken last night reflects that currently the most active and hottest portion of the fire is on the east flank. Fire remains south of Beaver Creek, west of the Beaver Creek Road and north of Highway 212.

Fire crews will continue suppression efforts on the fire; however, the Incident Commander Heintz reiterated that the primary objective of this incident is firefighter and public safety, followed by structure protection and safe fire suppression operations.

Today’s forecasted weather could provide some slight relief to fire personnel with temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s, continued low relative humidity levels and predicted winds to decrease to 5-15 mph. Fire crews will try to take advantage of the decreased winds to strengthen firelines, and mop-up on the main fire and nearby spot fires. On the more active eastside of the fire, crews will focus on trying to slow the rate of spread to the east and keep the fire north of Highway 212. Crews will also continue structure protection in this area. Air operations will support all ground firefighting efforts throughout the day.

Fire activity remains moderate on the Coal Seam fire and is in mop up and patrol status. Fire crews will continue direct suppression tactics when appropriate, mop-up and patrol.

Special Concerns: Residences remain threatened, portions of Highway 212 remain closed due to fire activity and smoke. Evacuations for the town of Ashland have been lifted, but other evacuations remain in place. The Ashland Ranger District of the Custer National Forest will enter into Stage 2 fire restrictions, for more details go to the Forest website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/custer/.

More Information: Visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/, email ashcreekfireinfo@gmail.com or call fire information Pat McKelvey at 406-459-8225 or Kathy Bushnell 406-422-7164.